Chicken Taquitos

Would you like to have this for your next lunch, dinner, or party? Here's the way to impress your family and/or guests.





I started by boiling 3 chicken leg quarters in about 2 inches of water until tender. I bought 10 pound bags of chicken leg quarters for $.55/lb. Then I removed the skin, shredded the meat, and set the bones aside. The water it was cooked in, I let cool, then place in a gallon baggie in the freezer for broth for later use, the bones and fat I also put in a gallon baggie for broth use as well. The meat made about 20-24 taquitos.

I took the corn tortillas, wrapped them in paper towel, and put in the microwave until steaming. Tortillas were $1.89 for 72count pack. 





I placed a bit of meat in the tortilla (you can use cheese too, but I found it's better to put cheese over the top. I used 1/6 of a string cheese in this picture), then roll tightly without ripping the tortilla. I didn't heat them the traditional way because it makes them crisp. In order to roll them, they need to be steamed and pliable.



I made 2 batches at a time. 3 or 4 fit in my cast iron skillet at once. You don't want to overfill the skillet, they won't cook as evenly.



I grabbed them by the seam and the "top" so they didn't unroll as I placed them in the oil.



Wait until the oil is a good 350 degrees, then carefully place each taquito in the oil. I used a slotted frying spatula to hold the top of the taquito 3-5 seconds until it was cooked enough to hold it's shape.





Place on paper towel after evenly fried. I put them in for about a minute total. Sorry, I don't keep track of time :)

If you didn't put cheese inside, this is the time to sprinkle cheese over the top, spread sour cream over each one, and top with some homemade salsa.  I hope you give this recipe and try and have a GREAT meal! Remember, have fun with it. It doesn't need to be perfect (mine is FAR from it), but the more fun you have, the more enjoyable the entire experience will be.